Electrical connecter



v. VAN BRUNT ELECTRICAL CONNECTER Filed Sept. 16, 1925 8 .r i A L 5 f fz. n 15 /9 3mm/fo@ wf# LMM @M A and Patented Nov. 2, 1926.

UNITED STATES VERNON VAN BRUNT, 0F CANTON, OHIO.

ELECTRICAL CONNECTER.

.applicationled September 16, 1925. Serial No. 56,687.

The invention relates to a coupling for connecting together electrical conductors, and the object of the improvement is to provide a coupling which may\ be adjust! ed to rmit the conductors to vbe -separated when placed under any predetermined strain or pull, means being also provided. for so adjusting the coupling that the conductors-cannot be separated.

For the pur, ose of illustration, one form of4 the invention is shown inthe accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the connecter showing two wires or cables coupled-together thereby, the connecter being adjusted tov permit the parts of the same to separate under sufiicient strain;

Fig. 2, a similar View showing the connecter in the act of separating, j

Fig. 3, a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the connecter adjusted to prevent separation,

Fig. 4, a transverse sectional'view taken substantially upon the line 4-4 Fig..3.

Similar numerals of reference indicate .corresponding parts throughout thev draw- The connecter comprises a pair of coupling members 1 and 2, each of which is provided with a longitudinal opening 3 arranged to receive one end of a conductor wire or cable 4, set screws 5 being provided for holding the end portions of the conductors in said openings.

The couplin member 1 has a tubular socket 6, slight y enlarged at its inner end as at 7, and the cou ling member 2 is provided with a reducedpshank 8, of spring material, .having a slightly enlarged head 9. This shank is split as shown at 10, orming a plurali enlarge head arranged to be received in the enlarged portion 7 of the socket of the cou-v pling member 1 when the parts are assemled as shown in Fig. 1.

The spring shank 8, of the coupling memu ber 2, is provided with a longitudinal bore 11 extending into the head portion 9, a ball 12 being located within said bore and arranged to be normally held within the head portion of the bore as .by the coil spring 13.

A plortionof the bore 11 may be provided Wit internal screw threads 14, to receive an adjusting nut 15, by means of which the tension upon the spring 13 maybe varied.

of spring fingers, each having an` For the purpose of holding the ball 12 longitudinally Within the head portion of y the shank a rod 16 may be located within the coil spring 13 and provided with an enllarged head 17 for engagement with the nut A protecting sleeve 18 may be connected to the coupling member 2, as by screw threads 19, to surround the spring shank thereof ancw prevent injury` to the shank when the parts of the connecter are uncou led, this protecting sleeve being especial y adapted for use in .factories or shops where the parts ofthe coupling may be frequently disconnected and left in this condition for some time.

Inorder to couple the ends of the conducters, each conducter will first be connected to one of the coupling members by inserting the same into the socket 3 thereof an tightening the set screws 5. The spring shank of the coupling member 2 may then be inserted into the socket 6 of the coupling member 1, the head portion 9 of the shank being received within the enlarged portion 7 of the socket.

As any desired amount of tension may be placed upon the spring 13, by means of the adjusting nut 15, before the parts are assembled, it will be seen that the coupling may be adjusted to stand any predetermined sirain or pull without becoming disconnecte ,When the device is used for connecting the conductors of an electric locomotive, an electro-magxet or the like,'just suficient tension may placed upon the spring 13 to permit the coupling members toseparate efore suiicient strain is placed upon the conductor to break the same.

In the event a permanent connection is desired the nut 15 may be adjusted to the osition shown in Fig. 3, before lthe cab e or wire is inserted into the socket of the coupling member 2. With this adjustment the rod 16 is held rigidly against the ball 12 preventing the head of the shank from being contracted suflciently to permit withdrawal of the same from the enlarged por tion 7 of the socket inthe coupling member 1.

In order to separate the parts, as shown in this position, it is first necessary to withdraw the conductor from the socket 3 of the member, 2 in Ordertopermit. access. to the Cal ' the head 9 to withdraw the same from the enlargement 7 of the socket 6. l

From the above it will be obvious that a coupling is provided having tension means which may e adjusted to permit the couperinanently locking the coupling members together andpreventing separation vof the 'same under any strain.

It is known that coupling' members have been made for connecting electrical conductors, which comprise a socket having an enlarged portion to receive thev head of'a split 'spring shank but such devices do not provide any means for adjusting the tension upon the spring shank orv for permanently holding the same-within' the socket of the 4 othermember.

I claim: i y v 1. A11 electricalconnecter comprisin a coupling member provided with a soc Vet having an enlarged inner port-ion, a co-op- Aerating -coupling'member Ahaving a hollow, split, spring shank provided with ahead for engagement in saidvsocket, al ball within said shank and spring means for normally holding said balll within said head.

2. An electrical connecter comprisin a coupling member provided with a soc et having an enlarged -inner portion, a co-operating coupling member having a hollow, split, spring shank provided with a head for engagement in saidsocket, a ball within said shank, spring means for normally holding said ball within said head, and means split spring shank provided with a head for engagement in said socket, vaball within said yshank and a coil spring for normally holdpling members to separate under any predef .termined strain and also having means for ing said ball within said head.

having an enlarged inner portion, a co-,operating coupling member h ving a hollow,

'split spring shank provided with a head for' engagement in said socket, a ball within said shank, 'a coil spring for normally holding said ball within Said head and means for adjusting the tension of 1 said coil spring.

5. An electrical connecter comprising a coupling member. provided with a socket having an enlarged inner portion, av co-operating coupling member having a hollow, split, spring shank provided' with a fhead for engagement in saidjsocket, a ball within said shank and means for holding said ball 'withinsaid head. 6. A11 electrical connecter comprising a coupling member provided with a socket having 'an enlarged inner ortion, a cooperating coupling member aving a hollow, split, spring shank provided with a head for engagement in said socket, a ball within said shank, a rod within the shank arranged to engage the ball and means for adjusting.

the rod to hold the ball within the head'f In testimony that I claim the above, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

VERNON VAN BRUNT. .-1 

